Obama's Shoes: A Historical Comparison

DailyKos has an image up, pulled from a collection of photos by Callie Shell, of Barack Obama reclining at a table, wearing shoes with holes in the soles. Naturally, the left-leaning blog makes a broad comparison to the RNC-funded fashion show that Sarah Palin has been putting on as she travels the campaign trail. Of course, the first comparison that springs to my mind is probably one that the Obama campaign would liken to the old theatrical superstition of saying the name "Macbeth" in a theatre - fellow Illinois political figure Adlai Stevenson.

Stevenson was the subject of a photograph taken by Bill Gallagher of the Flint Journal, in which the presidential contender was captured with similar holes in his shoes. That photograph earned Gallager a Pulitzer Prize in 1953, and Stevenson got himself a statue with the iconic shoe-holes at the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington. But it didn't translate into an electoral win for Stevenson, a historical note that I'm guessing Obama would prefer not to repeat.

Comments

[scorpioleidy]

Mc Insane wears $500 dollar loafers, while BO wears shoes with holes --- exactly who is the elitist?!

[honeydiva]

if anyone remembers the interview on that gossip show with his kids... the big thing was that he didn't like to shop and he wore his shoes out. I'm sure he has new shoes by now, but thanks linkins, his people will be informed if he doesn't.

[Obama 08]

LOVE HIM!!!

[BlueZoo]

When does this man have time to buy shoes? Interesting contrast, though, with McCain's $700 shoes. I look at this story as one of priorities and it's obvious that Italian suits and shoes just aren't on that list for Senator Obama.

[MeiLing]

It's not a question of time. If it were something that was important to him, he could pay a personal shopper to bring stuff to him in his size to try on or have a custom tailor who's taken his measurements design & custom make suits for him like they do for the guys on the Sopranos. Do you think Oprah does her own shopping?

But you are right! It is a question of priorities for Obama and obviously he's realizes that the suit doesn't make the man. Or maybe it does? Whichever way you want to look it it, his clothing hardly falls into the elitest category! I'll bet most of it probably came from Sears!

[BritishAfricanCanadian]

while the shoes do not define a man, this does say a lot about President Obama...ge­t used to saying it kids..PRE-­SI-Dent O-Bama....­hhehehehe

[no1dolo]

OBAMA ....an "everyday" man.

[BritishAfricanCanadian]

Elitist eh?

[marc1antony]

Jason, please forward your article to Mika of Good Morning Joe - she needs to do research before spouting off comparisons.

[scorpioleidy]

Mika is a t oo l

[techtones]

Yeah, I heard that with Mika on Morning Joe today. That sounded like a silly comparison. Now, if he was buying those white and blue shirts that he wears everyday at like $500 a piece that would be something else.. I can’t imagine those are more than 25 bucks each.

[juzcuz]

Wonderful Obama has been working hard and walking long in those shoes to win this campaign..­. he will restore the UNITED states of America. He will bring healing, hope, joy and prosperous living again for everyone. I totally trust Obama and Biden with mine, my children's and my grandchildren's well-being. Two weeks from today ... Obama will be our new President. One that we can be proud of, trust and support wholeheartedly. Yeah!!!!

[LetTheMadnessBegin]

I canoot wait for this moment, but we need to make sure we get out and VOTE.

[suntzu]

Obama has holes in his shoes, McCain has holes in his .....never mind.